This week, I took a few days to make some Middle Tennessee campaign stops on my own, as Bill worked hard in the Mayor’s office and on the campaign trail. On Wednesday, I started the morning with a wonderful group of Nashville women. Thanks to the hospitality of Barbara Outhier, we spent the early morning visiting over coffee, talking about the important issues and how Bill is the right candidate to help Tennesseans at this crucial time for our state. After my morning visit, I headed to the KIPP Charter School – what a fantastic program. I learned more about this innovative charter school, and I could see the effects of their, “Work Hard. Be Nice.” motto, as I toured the school and visited with students in various classrooms. After my KIPP visit, I met with some of our women Ambassadors for lunch and had such a fun time visiting. Through our lunch talk, I learned about several non-profits that have helped so many Tennesseans. I ended the day with Bill at the Tennessee Chamber Forum – and he did great!
On Thursday, I started the morning touring two schools well-known across Middle Tennessee that focus on providing individualized instruction, Benton Hall and Currey Ingram. I enjoyed my thorough school tours and the opportunity to meet with students and speak to the Senior Government and Economics class at Currey Ingram. As Bill has said, the opportunity for school choice is important, and students voiced to me why their school was the perfect fit for them, not just making their education experience better, but giving them the foundation to continue a life of learning. Following my school visits, I met with leaders of Alignment Nashville and learned about the terrific work they have done in such a short time in the non-profit community. Their work is so outstanding, and it was evident to see that Nashville is several steps ahead with this great group, bringing other cities outside the state to notice their outstanding work – who have now mirrored their efforts. Finally, I ended my day out in Hendersonville in which I met with the founder and staff of the Jason Foundation, a terrific organization that brings youth suicide awareness to the forefront of education communities both locally in Tennessee and across the country. Clark Flatt, who founded the organization in memory to his son Jason, has grown this non-profit to unbelievable heights in such a short time, and his passion to save lives was so evident and inspiring.
All in all, it was a terrific few days on the trail, and I appreciated the opportunity to meet an array of folks of all walks of life, all bonded by the common goal to do better for our state and their fellow Tennesseans. Thank you!
